Riddle Me This

So what's with the riddle/interactive fiction metaphor?

Interactive fiction and the "riddle" both force individuals to figure out an answer or a narrative (a potential narrative at that). IF and the riddle emphasize language (language exchange: inputs, outputs; key commands and wording). There is no set-in-stone way to traverse through IF; similarly, riddles can be solved using a number of varying approaches.

Yet interactive fiction's foundation(s) with the "riddle" does seem a little far-fetched, but I think Montfort might have chosen to use this example to align IF with some kind of literary format. As Montfort thoroughly pointed out, the riddle has had a somewhat significant role in cultural, literary etc. study throughout history. Perhaps by anchoring IF to a literary style that's been around for some time, Montfort attempts to give some credibilty to a form that has been long debated as legitimate literature.